When You Should Hire a Wedding Second Shooter for Your Arizona Wedding Videography
- emilyfayefilms
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Adding a second videographer to your wedding video package sounds like a luxury—and sometimes it totally is. But other times? It’s the smartest way to tell your story the way it actually felt.
From an Arizona wedding videographer who’s been behind the lens for everything from barefoot desert elopements to 200-guest party weekends, here's exactly when a second shooter is worth it—and when it’s not. No fluff. Just real talk so you can make the call with confidence.
When You Should Add a Wedding Second Shooter to Your Arizona Wedding Videography Package:
You and your partner are getting ready in two separate locations
If you and your partner aren’t getting ready for your wedding at the same place, having a second shooter for your wedding video can be a game-changer. This ensures that you’ll get clips of both of you getting ready by having one videographer with you and the other with your partner! This is important to get that full documentary-style wedding videography feel.
Capturing every part of the day, including getting ready, is so important to my style of wedding videography. I want my wedding videos to tell the whole story of the day, exactly how it happened. There are so many special moments to capture from getting ready, from the mother of the bride helping put on the wedding dress, to unforgettable fun moments with your crew!
You have a large guest count
If your wedding is full of people you love, chances are they’re having moments you won’t see on the day. A second videographer allows us to film your aunt tearing up during vows, your college friends going wild on the dance floor, your dad cracking jokes at cocktail hour—while the main shooter focuses on you two. It’s the best way to show not just what happened, but how it felt to be surrounded by everyone you love.
This was huge for Kayla and Calvin’s wedding. The reactions from their friends and family throughout the day added so much depth to their video. Moments they didn’t see in real time, but now get to keep forever.
Your venue is big and spaced out
Think multiple ceremony and reception locations, or anything with a sprawling layout. One videographer can only be in one place at a time. With a second shooter, we can cover more ground without sacrificing the emotional core of your video. Whether that means filming decor details, capturing movement across the venue, or getting both of your entrances from different perspectives, this is where the tag-team magic really works.
Ask yourself what you want out of your wedding video – do you want just an overview of the day, or do you want it to capture every detail of the day for your memories? If you want every detail captured and you do have a wedding venue on the larger side, then you may want to consider a wedding second shooter for your video!
You want extra angles of special moments
You know that shot of the bride walking down the aisle and the groom’s reaction? Or the wide drone shot of your first kiss and the close-up of your teary smile? Those moments hit harder when you can see both sides at once. If you’re dreaming of a more cinematic edit with layered visuals, having a second videographer allows for just that.
When You Don’t Need to Add a Wedding Second Shooter to Your Arizona Wedding Videography Package:
You’re having an outdoor elopement
Elopements are usually more intimate, which means fewer moving parts. Fewer guests, less ground to cover, and a naturally slower pace gives me the space to move quietly and intentionally throughout your day.
As an Arizona wedding videographer, filming elopements is so special, and I am able to capture all of the details and feelings of the day solo. With there being less space and less people, one videographer is plenty to capture your elopement.
You and your partner enjoy more space and privacy
Sometimes couples want less hustle, more calm. If you want your videographer to feel like a friend quietly hanging back rather than a whole production crew, keeping it to one videographer helps. It means fewer eyes, fewer cameras, and more breathing room while still creating a wedding film you’ll love. If you’re willing to trade slightly less coverage of the day for more comfort, then just one wedding videographer sounds like the perfect package for you!
Your wedding is intimate and cozy
Hosting 30-50 guests in a smaller venue? If your day is centered in one place with fewer details and people to track, you probably don’t need a second shooter. Unless you're craving lots of different angles or have specific coverage requests, one videographer can absolutely capture the essence of your day.
Just like with Kayla and Calvin’s wedding—their day was relaxed and close-knit, with everything happening in one space. I was able to film every meaningful moment without needing a second set of hands, and their final video reflects every bit of their love and energy.
Still not sure? Ask yourself these questions:
Are we getting ready in two locations?
Do we want to see reactions from our guests and close-ups of us?
Is our venue big, with a lot of moments happening in different areas?
Do we want multiple angles of the ceremony, first look, or first dance?
If you're nodding along, adding a second shooter might be the move. If you're planning something smaller, simpler, and more intimate, you might be just fine with one.
Kayla and Calvin’s Outdoor Arizona Wedding Day:
Filming Kayla and Calvin’s wedding was such a joy. Their April wedding at The Farmhouse at Schnepf Farms was relaxed, intentional, and filled with the kind of joy that translates perfectly on video. The couple’s personalities really shone through, and you can feel the love shared on their wedding day! Their venue setup kept everything close and cozy, which made it easy for me to move through the day solo without missing a thing.
The vendors that curated this gorgeous day were:
Photographer: Laura Horner
Florist: The Cottage Flowers and Gifts
I hope this guide helped you decide whether to book a wedding second shooter for your wedding videography package or not! If you’re looking for an Arizona wedding videographer to capture your day as it felt, click here to inquire today. I can’t wait to make magic with you.
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